Sridhar Venkatesulu

Rallis India Ltd.

QC Lead – Molecular Genetics / SNP Genotyping, Dec 2022 – Present (2 years, 9 months)

• Set up a state-of-the-art molecular testing facility for hybrid seed lot authentication, using advanced SNP genotyping technology.
• Lead a high-performing team of up to 15 members, including senior staff with over 10 years of experience, ensuring smooth operations and timely report delivery.
• Designed and established complete end-to-end workflows for SNP testing, including sample processing, data analysis, and reporting.
• Implemented robust SOPs, internal controls, and quality compliance systems, significantly enhancing accuracy and reproducibility.
• Managed large-scale SNP testing projects for 10,000–15,000+ lots per season, supporting on-time commercial seed release.
• Introduced automation and workflow optimization, reducing manual errors, and increasing testing efficiency.
• Managed outsourcing of NGS and genotyping projects across multiple platforms, including Thermo AgriSeq, DArTseq, and Affymetrix microarray technologies, with strong expertise in data handling, marker identification, and result interpretation.
• Assisted in budget management, monitoring expenses, and identifying cost-saving opportunities.
• Promoted a culture of continuous learning within the department by sharing expertise; encouraged others to pursue professional development opportunities.
• Majorly involved in the procurement of capital equipment and consumables through the Ariba portal, including generating purchase requests (PRs) in the SAP workflow, and tracking goods movement (GRN/status) in the SAP system.

• Nutrient management for all crops i.e., lettuces, Vine crops, Medicinal crops.
• HPLC analysis for active ingredient analysis of medicinal plants (Turmeric, Centella Asiatica and Paprika)
• Heterologous expression of active ingredient in E. coli.
• Varietal identification using SSR’s & SNP.
• Nutrient analysis of drip and drain samples.
• DNA fingerprinting of Turmeric, centella and paprika varieties.
• Vector mediated virus transmission diseases identification using virus specific markers.
• Roles and Responsibilities: BIOINFORMATICS (Technical):
• Analyze raw SNP genotyping data (Data filtration & curation) and Preparation of Data for Downstream Analysis.
• Perform Association Mapping and Haplotype preparation of plant taxa to identify Markers (SNPs) linked with trait of interest of different crops.
• Primer designing for Functional Gene/Marker sequence for utilization in Molecular Laboratory.
• Perform SNP Annotation to identify the Gene location of a specific SNP.
• Perform Functional Annotation of Genes to identify Protein coded by a specific Gene & its respective function.
• Perform Candidate Gene based analysis for various traits of a crop, Public-domain SNP search for traits of interest & In-silico analysis of SNPs.
• Preparation of Project Reports, Summary Reports & Analysis Reports for work done on different crops.
• Study and use publicly accessible Genomic Databases for various crops.
• Maintenance of Data in proper format and with Regular Backup.

• Molecular marker Identification and validation for commercially important traits.
• Real time PCR
• Quality Control (Molecular GOT)
• DNA fingerprinting
• Trait purity
• QTL mapping
• Phenotyping & Mapping population development
• Application of Next generation sequencing in Plant genomics
• NGS Data analysis.
• Kasper Assay
• Illumina bead array analysis
• Projects undertaken at NSL:
• Lead and execute the overall Quality Assurance projects for Molecular GOT analysis.
• QTL mapping of sucking pest resistant trait using SSR’s and SNP markers.
• Mapping population development for QTL mapping for sucking pest resistance in cotton.
• Cotton GMS markers (SNP’s) utilization in ongoing breeding program using KASP Assay.
• Marker assisted selection (Foreground & Background selection) for rice Blast, Blight & BPH.
• CMS & RF identification in Chilli & Rice using trait linked markers.
• DNA fingerprinting of commercial hybrids & varieties using SSR markers.